Celebrating Black History Month
Sharon Monplaisir 
 
Sharon Monplaisir, a longtime member of Fencers Club, is one of the great U.S. fencers accomplishing it all with a smile, passion, dedication and a hug for everyone.
 
Sharon was raised by her mother in an inner-city neighborhood in the Bronx. One day in high school she noticed a sign in the locker room: Anyone interested in trying out for the coed fencing team? Sharon was curious and made a decision that changed her life "180 degrees". Spotted by an FC coach who saw her talent she started training and started on her road to success.
 
Sharon did succeed. Sharon became a three-time Olympian, seven-time U.S. World Team member, U.S. National champion, multiple Pan American team member, World University Games competitor, four times NCAA All American, NIWFA Champion, Southland Olympian Award for athletic and academic achievement, inductee to the USA Fencing and Hunter College Halls of Fame. Her coaches included Semyon Pinkahsov, Aladar Kogler, Julia Jones and Eric Rosenberg. Sharon's modesty and appreciation of fencing and her journey is summed up by her: "I tried all the sports, I couldn't swim, I couldn't jump hurdles... Fencing was the last one to try and ended up being good at it." And "I've met some wonderful people in this sport, people who helped me grow, taught me discipline, showed me how far hard work can take you."
 
Sharon is married to three-time Olympian Pentathlete Michael Gostigian, has twins, runs her own business, has done extensive modeling and TV appearances, been featured in Sports Illustrated and in two books including Sword of a Champion, and Sharon continues to challenge herself athletically finishing the NYC Marathon in 2016.


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